alteredpilot-- The rims with the center plate might be Appliance Uni-Chrome wheels. They were built that way. I had a set I bought new back around 1969 for my 60 Pontiac. The wheel actually had all three bolt circles so you could use it on GM A-body, Ford-Chrysler-AMC, and GM full size (5x5). The center plate had only the bolt circle for your actual application. If you wanted to put the wheels on something w a different bolt pattern you went out and got a different set of plates and lug nuts.
A lot of the Junior Stocker class cars of the late 60's-early 70's used this style of wheel, probably because at the time, they were cheap and looked good. I'd be interested in a set of two 15 X 6 and two 15 X 4 or 5 in the Chevrolet 4 3/4" 5 bolt pattern. That possible, and the "approximate cost" ? Thanks, Butch/56sedandelivery.
i think part of the look is the smooth, non-raised area around the lug holes. the one on page 4 with the knock-offs look just about perfect. if you can call these perfect. i've got mixed feelings about these to. i did'ent like them when they were out, because there were so many better looking wheels to be had, but like a old friend, it sure is good to see them again!
The difference in the centers is truly a form follows function situation. One of the problems with the completely flat centers is that keeping the wheels properly torqued was difficult; the edge left after the lug holes are drilled leaves almost no thickness. That's why so many old ones have lug holes "wallered" out. The options are either welding a torque ring on the back of the wheel, using very thick material, or stamping the ring area, plus coining around the lug holes, as was done on the set I have, which makes a strong, safe wheel. If you look at the Astro wheels on the Dick Patterson coupe, they have a torque ring - and they look great IMO. Thanks for your comments, I had to laugh, Chrome slots are the old friend you really didn't like but are still happy to see!
Thanks Butch, I will check on options for the 4.75 bolt circle and let you know via PM. The good thing about building new wheels is that the width and backspace choices are much greater than exists in the used wheel world. Right now the narrowest rim available is 4.5", widest available is 10". The real cost issue is the chroming, chrome hoops are readily available, but the centers have to be made, then they get chromed separately. I am having a pair of 4.5 width wheels made to be powder coated and see how they look, ultimately bare or powder coated wheels would be almost half the price of chromed.
With all that fancy stuff in the middle of the wheel, they don't look quite right....they look like someone was trying to make them with a bit of quality....when really, they were the cheapest chrome wheels around for many years. The ones I have are pretty thick in the center. They don't seem to loosen up. It's good to see this stuff being made again
Nads I will get you the numbers early next week as I will have to have the Chevy pattern centers made - surprisingly the Chevy pattern centers were unavailable, the Ford and big GM 5x5 patterns are old leftovers; but the tooling is there. Your El Cam needs a set of these - am I right? Thanks!
I have an OG set as well that are VERY thick, If it is a big issue I will see if the folks stamping the centers can go thicker with their equipment. But, every change adds $, and most people will flip out at the price, comparing it to what they cost back in the day. Let's face it, it's a limited market. Which is cool.
Ok Phillips, How about say 14 X 5 or 6" with a 4 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern for us hopeless Falcon and Covair idiots? and pricing too...
All through the seventies and eighties, those things were dumpster fodder of the first order. I gotta admit a certian nostalgic fondness for them though.
This might not be the right place but these are on my dads car. I guess if you squint your eyes they look similar. Are they pretty much only good for rollers or should I take them off?
I have three from a local scammer. He though he was making out big $. Cool. I will post up the pix later. They are not El-Minty, but decent runners.
Sorry for my slow response, three soccer games today, and I'll be taking off again very soon. Thanks for all the comments. I will check on this and let you know, since the drilling and coining is the last part of building the center I think 4 bolt centers would be do-able. Did you have any luck with the name and number I gave you for some used Falcon wheels a while back? Center bore is 3.25 inches, which seems to be pretty standard. However, there isn't much of a bevel on the back side of the torque ring area, so one may be limited to caps that push in from the back, rather than an E-T style that pushes in from the front side. Pricing... the toughest one to answer, and I know some heads may explode, since these were considered a cheapie wheel back in the day. I am still trying to get this down, but today a set of 15x7's, 5 on 4.5 bolt circle is $250 a wheel, boxed, which is basically my cost at this point. 5x5 should be very close to that if not the same. Getting closer to $200 a wheel is where I would want to be, but we aren't there yet. I will have more info next week after discussing with the suppliers. I have bought and sold quite a few old chrome slots; the only reason this whole thing began is because of how surprising the demand is for the originals. The toughest thing in dealing with the old ones is finding a good, full set that matches. Plus the sizes are obviously very limited. Keep in mind it is a custom wheel, made in USA, and the set I have now look great. I'm considering centers plated in Mexico (stamping would still be USA), and the samples I've seen from there look very nice, the cost could decrease somewhat. But, I really want to keep these fully USA if possible. It's not a political thing, just something I want to do. Anyone interested please PM, I don't want to turn this into a for-sale thread. Ryan gave his blessing for me to reply to this thread to gauge interest, but I do not want to take undue advantage of his understanding.
Nads and Butch: just verified I can get Chevy pattern centers, same center bore size, it's an identical stamping to the wheels pictured. They'll have to be stamped so that will add a few weeks, I should hear back Wednesday or Thursday of this week regarding price and turn around. I can get 4 raw steel 5x5 centers right away; pricing would be $250/wheel fully chromed, 15x7, including custom backspacing. 4 on 4.5 bolt circle can be done!
I have two sets of 4 I am about to list in the classified section that are all 15" diameter with 5 x 5 1/2" lug patern. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=11179
It's funny how everything that goes around, comes around. I bought these for $50 for all 4, used, just to run something, anything that was cooler than stock. I kept this car for several years, finished it, eventually gave it to one of my boys when he went into the Air Force. The last time I saw it the wheels were still on it! I always thought they were a little dorky but I used to think station wagons were dorky too. Things change!
One of the first set I bought for the coupe. 5 on 5 1/2" Got them from Honest Charlie for nothing. He forgot to send me a bill. Oops! their still in business.
Anybody know of some 15x10 astro SLOTS for sale? I have a pair of 15x4 and some 15x8s being mailed to me for an upcomming willys panel gasser project.
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